Apologies, it's been a long time since my last post but I've been a bit busy organising some new initiatives for other people and also with the film I sponsored, The Cucaracha Club. You can see more about the film if you google it.

OK, to todays item.I've recently moved out into the campo, necessitating a change of internet provider. I was with Communicaciones Enersol and they were always very good. If I had a problem, I'd drop them a line or give them a call and they'd sort it very quickly. I could never complain about their service and would recommend them wholeheartedly.

Then again, I never had an issue with Telefonica/Movistar but I know a lot of you do. If I ever had an issue with their service, I'd call them and they got it sorted. In fact, every service provider I've been with have always been good with me.

At our new house, I've gone with a company called Conecta3 because people said they were good.They offer various levels of speed on their rural (wifi) internet and I chose their 12Meg offering which was the same price as the 8Meg I had with Enersol. Result, I thought.

Having arranged for their guy to call and do the business, he duly turns up, quick site survey and it's a go'er.Straps their little receiving dish to the TV aerial pole, cable fed into the house, router connected, pc connected and ......... ooppsss.

I could tell from their faces and the nervous chatter something was wrong. After 30 minutes of the aerial pointer pointing the aerial all over the place and the technico giving instructions it's still not working so they reverse roles. Technico is now on the roof asking for the numbers on the screen.

Another 30 minutes pass and aerial pointer is reunited with technico and they now have happy smiley faces. Internet working and shows the 12Meg I've asked for. Result! and off they go.

3 weeks on and it's not all roses in the garden, far from it. The internet was never that responsive and for 12Meg, I would have expected it to be at least as fast as the 8Meg I'd had previously but no. But at least it worked. Then we've had a little wind which has mucked things up a bit more with virtually no upload speed at all rendering it virtually useless AND I've just received an email wanting 2 months rental. Ha!!! Fat chance.

I've included a picture that will probably help some of you work out why my internet is so poor. The receiving dish is BEHIND a metal chimney!!! DOH!!

For those who don't understand, the dish operates in the same way as your satellite tv dish, it collects the signal and reflects it to the bit in the middle, only in this instance, it collects some of the signal whilst the metal chimney reflects the rest of the signal across it's path and so hinders reception (download) and transmission (upload). Fabulous! So it looks like they're going to have to come back and do the job properly or I'll be going somewhere else.

Whilst my previous supplier, Enersol, didn't have a working signal here, they did offer to set up an experimental solution for me but that was after I'd got Connecta3. I did tell them if Connecta3 couldn't supply the service, I'd let them experiment so that might be my next option.

I'll post an update later.

**Update** 19 June 17.30Well, went into see Connecta-3 this morning.

It appears someone 'forgot' to tell me that after your first month, they take two months money - one for last month and one for the coming month. That's not bad, taking money for a service you haven't provided yet.

After having this confirmed, I paid my dues and raised the issue about how poor the service is I'm getting. They got my email last week but decided to do nothing. Now I'm speaking to the technical boss who, after making a phone call, assures me the engineer will be here to put things right between 2-3pm and I'm still waiting.

At the moment, every speed test I do fails to upload and sometimes fails on the download. Oh Connecta-3, what a shitty start to a business relationship. Struggling to provide a service and struggling to get the engineer here.

**Update** 25 June 12.20

So, the engineer finally came this week to see what the problem is.

A quick chat and he connects his laptop to the internet (not the router) and after a few clicks doesn't appear impressed. In fact, he's so unimpressed he has to ask what speed I'm supposed to have.

12M says I and see a glimpse of 'oh shit' in his face. Now I reveal the reason it doesn't work - the dish is hiding behind the chimney - so he goes outside to look.

Not impressed, he says it's been installed wrong. I know says I and he explains that he needs to have a look in his van to see if he has a 'U' pipe mount so he can attach it to the tv aerial mast and swing the dish out into the open.

Success, so up the ladder he goes and sets it all up. One small problem arises. He has to call base on his phone whilst repositioning the dish to get a signal. He tells me it's the best he can do without having an accomplice to fine tune it here.

I now have internet (of sorts). The speed test shows the right numbers so he's happy (sort of). Thing is you see, whilst I get the right numbers, the internet is still crap, pages take forever to load and the computer keeps reporting no internet connection on a regular basis.

Would I recommend Connecta-3? In a word no!

I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who don't have any problems with them but I'm a demanding user who pushes my internet connection to it's limits so it simply has to be ultra reliable - which this isn't.

Communicaciones Enersol hardly missed a beat, I had to call them 3 times in four and a half years and they resolved the problem within the hour. I had 8M internet with them and it ran a lot faster then the 12M I currently have, which reminds me of an old saying "it's quality, not quantity, that counts.". Something a lot of us tend to forget.

**Update 6th July **

After living with this for a couple of months now I have to say it's the worst move I've ever made.Example 1: Emails take what seems forever to open and if it has graphics in it you can be looking at 45 seconds.Example 2: My downloads constantly disconnect and fail.Example 3: My TV buffers like crazy.

This is supposed to be 12M internet for goodness sake.

It shows 12M on speed checks but, in real terms, it certainly isn't running anywhere near 6M which can only be down to constraints imposed by the provider.

Based on my experience, my opinion has to be AVOID CONNECTA-3 LIKE THE PLAGUE

** Update 18th Jan 2018 **

We've moved house and I've switched suppliers to ComEnersol who I had before the disastrous Conecta3 fiasco.

Was it worth it? Oh yes!! 8 meg internet €10 cheaper than C3 12 meg and it works. No buffering TV, no disconnecting downloads and email attachments open when clicked.

This confirms my earlier statement in respect of C3 rural (wifi) internet - avoid it like the plague, it's total crap!!

Sometimes when at clients premises, I have to use a series of rescue/installation discs to resolve an issue.

Sometimes, it can take quite a few hours to sort out the multiple problems people allow to accumulate on their computer before seeking professional help. A lot of which is helped along by the 'bar room fixers' who know absolutely sod all in real terms about much at all.

They don't know what the real problem is because they've not seen it and clients rarely know how to describe the problem fully anyway - not that there's anything wrong with that, I don't expect it.

The client then goes and mis-follows the wrong advice they've been given and make an even bigger dogs breakfast of the whole thing and after they've totally screwed their computer, they call me.

Now to the point of my rant.

After I've spent hours sorting out the cock-up, I put my things back in my bag (or so I think) and head off home. Some days, or even weeks, later I open my bag looking for the discs to find that I've accidentally left at my clients.

The annoying thing is the client, who now has a full set of service and recovery discs that I've paid for, and doesn't have a clue in hell how to use them, hasn't had the decency to ring me and let me know I've left them. This has happened every time I've done it.

I now have to go through the time and expense of getting a new set of dics together.

ONE THING YOU GET FROM ME IS HONESTY, IF YOU CAN'T RETURN THE FAVOUR THEN YOU DON'T DESERVE THE SERVICES I OFFER.

​I will work out where I left them and that person will have a heavy bill next time they call me!

It just goes to show, there's a lot of really dishonest immigrants out there.

"Thanks Clive for your excellent services in setting up internet, phone and TV. Would recommend you whole heartedly to anyone moving to the area."

Whilst I didn't quite set up his internet, we had a long chat and discussed the best options in his area for his circumstances. Jon originally contacted me for internet but I didn't have the right package for his intended usage pattern so after talking things through, we chose his local provider who have some good deals going and will hopefully be reliable.

I supplied the phone system which he will be able to alternate between Spain and Switzerland as he wishes. Anyone ringing his number will be able to get through to him regardless of where he is in the world without any call forwarding charges to either party.

Jon can also get his free calls wherever he is in the world. Try getting that anywhere else!

I was also able to source an IPTV box, from one of my colleagues. That gives Jon all the UK channels he wants and can also be equipped with UK catch-up TV as well.

The bottom line is, I endeavour to provide a good customer experience wherever possible. Many have tried to copy my work ethic and many have failed.

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I'm getting more and more calls from people asking me to supply them with 20M internet.

Why?

Because they've bought one of these stupid IPTV boxes and it doesn't work on their current internet providers 6M connection.

More and more people are falling for the IPTV box scam. I've been asked by one of the 'budget' phone suppliers to sell their products including ................. IPTV boxes.

Guess what I told them to do with the boxes. Yep, stick 'em where the sun don't shine. They don't believe me when I tell them they'll never work until they sort out the internet and the contention ratios (how many people who share an internet connection at the exchange) but my concerns are proving to be fact.

Current contention ratios are such that you share your 6M with 49 other people for domestic clients and 24 others on a business connection (that's why business internet costs a lot more).

When there's only a few of you streaming mountains of data through your IPTV boxes, it'll just about cope but as those numbers increase, the system will either collapse or your internet provider will put the brakes on your streaming, which in turn means your IPTV boxes won't work.

Because the ex-pat fraternity are so obsessed with watching TV, hundreds of scammers have sprung up selling IPTV boxes for obscene amounts because they know you're going to pay it.

It costs them money to pay for servers to keep your boxes running and it takes a bit of technical know-how to set them up. These people have neither. They pay the deposit for the server, sell loads of boxes (making nearly €100 a box) then disappear and move on to the next town.

One hour watching live TV through the internet consumes around 700Mb of data - enough to supply an 'average' household for at least a week.

Data has to be paid for by somebody. Your internet provider sets their systems and prices based on the 'average' household. As more and more of you become 'abnormal' users, only two things can happen. Their network collapses and/or the price goes up.

What I see to be one of the biggest issues here in Spain is the ex-pat communities EXPECT to get the services they would get in their home countries at the same level of pricing. Wake up, it aint ever going to happen. The majority of Spanish networks were never designed to be used as they are now and upgrading them costs many many millions.

This is Spain, stop expecting something for nothing, accept that legitimate traders have small fortunes to pay in taxes and other fees and have all sorts of hoops to jump through to stay legal. I'm not suggesting that paying €600 for €200 worth of satellite TV kit is acceptable, what I am saying is that, as with all things in life, you need to carry out due diligence checks.

Use your legal, registered traders as you have recourse if they sell you a pup. All these illegal IPTV scammers don't give a fig once they've got your money. You can't get a refund and you'll never find them once they've moved on as they use false details.

I have to go to the UK next week so will be unavailable except for remote service or advice.

I will be away from Monday 23rd June to Friday 27th inclusive.

Thank you for your understanding.

Clive

I've just returned from a meeting with some of my peers and I find I'm taking issue with some of their working practices.

What made my blood boil was how one of the attendees thought it acceptable to make huge amounts of profit from selling illegal card sharing IPTV boxes to expats. He also thought it acceptable to remove cards from noticeboards posted by his competition.

Nothing wrong with that you might think. I do!

Why?

It is not only disrespectful it shows contempt. If his product is good, it will sell on its' own merits regardless of the competition.

It's disrespectful. Somebody else has had to spend their money having cards printed and spent their time and effort in posting the cards in the first place If he can't stand competition he shouldn't be in business.

Making in the region of €100 per box is ripping people off. It shows the contempt he has for you, his clients. It also shows the contempt he has for the law. Stealing premium paid for content and charging you to view it is highly illegal as he does not have the rights to rebroadcast the programs.

Watching Freeview satellite TV, on the other hand, is not illegal.

Satellite Internet providers are being falsely accused of being overpriced and a rip off when in actual fact, you're really being ripped off by the IPTV/card share merchants.

It also shows how TV is valued above all else. You're quite happy to pay €700 to install a €150 dish and a €50 card share box that is illegal but unwilling to pay €169 to install satellite internet equipment that is legal.

What does that say about peoples morals. I'm not being judgmental, I'm just exposing the sad truth that is out there. The worst thing about it is you seem to enjoy being ripped of just so you can watch TV.

If you all told these profiteerers to stick their grossly overpriced products where the sun don't shine, you'd soon see the prices come down. But you won't, you'll just go on paying whatever they ask and they know it.

This latest scare affects all versions if Internet Explorer (IE) from version 6 - 11, that includes the version you're using. Are we surprised, not really!

I've never had much faith in IE once I realised Microsoft leave the settings wide open so it's easy for people to steal your information by default. Unless you know what you're doing, you will always be at risk using IE. I've also known my Internet settings change following Microsoft updates.

These are reasons I will not use IE. These are also the reasons why you shouldn't be using IE. Add to this a report I read a couple of years ago where the guy behind IE openly admitted it was rubbish. He cited Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox as being far superior to it.

I would agree on both counts there although I wouldn't recommend Firefox just now because I find it crashes too regularly. Even on PCs that I'm asked to maintain remotely, I can see that Firefox crashes a lot. The only plus side is, it's a lot more secure than IE.

I can't get on with Google Chrome some of you will shout. How do I get Google Chrome some others will shout. What are you talking about some will say.

Some will even say, I use Google all the time then open IE because they don't know what we're talking about. That's perfectly fine because if everybody knew what it's all about, I would be out of a job.

I always use Google Chrome because it's faster.Anybody wanting to try Google Chrome, please download it from www.ninite.com. Once the download process starts, it will download and install in one go without you having to do anything else.

Yes, it is different, that's because it isn't IE. No, it doesn't have all the cumbersome toolbars that get added to IE, because toolbars break things - keep away from them. Most of you don't know how to use them butinsist on keeping them - WHY?. No, don't sign in to google unless you already have a gmail account, click the skip now link.

Most people won't use it because they think it's black magic or, because we always use IE, or in reality, they don't want to learn something new because they're scared of change.

A lot of people will simply accept that Windows has IE built in so that must be what you have to use. I only use Windows because I have to, so I can keep up to speed with how bad it is.

I'd much rather be using Linux Ubuntu. None of my clients that have tried Ubuntu has ever needed to come back with problems. I do, however, have to still visit these people to sort out their Windows machines. Says it all really.

Some of you may have read about BT broadband hitting 1.4Tbps - yes, that's right, 1.4 Terrabits per second. That's absolutely phenomenal. What we also have to remember is that it was between two BT buildings, albeit some 250 miles apart. It's still a mean feat though - the ability to download 44 HD films in 1 second.

I certainly remember Virgin Media boasting 1Gbps internet around ten years ago but it's never made it into the public domain. They have to console themselves with the fact they can only really deliver about 10% of that - 100Mbps - to just a few people.

That said, according to uSwitch, they are the ISP providing the fastest broadband in the UK.

Well, with all this speed available out there, you would think the UK is brimming over with internet but nothing is further from the truth when you consider that 20% of London struggles with less than 3Mbps and there are vast areas of the UK where even 1Mbps is a luxury.

Wouldn't BTs' money be better spent honouring promises made some years ago - 6 UK cities would have superfast broadband by 2012 - superfast being average download speed in excess of 24Mbps and there is nowhere in the UK got that yet so why on earth are they bragging about 1.4Tbps.

All this reminds me of people I know who brag about all the qualifications they have and how clever they are but they don't have a clue how to do the job they've got them for. UK government and bankers also spring to mind here.

Really, what is the point of 1.4Tbps when it is unlikely to be delivered to the man in the street. If Virgin Media can't deploy 1Gbps over their exclusive fibre-optic network, will BT ever be able to deliver 1Tbps in a commercial environment when they still can't deliver 3Mbps across the UK and have still failed to provide superfast broadband to ANY town or city in the UK (according to uSwitch) 2 years after their promised date.

In Ireland, the situation is even worse. As some of you might know, we are agents for EuropaSat, providing satellite internet across Europe from the leaders in this technology - Tooway, SES and Avanti.

In Ireland we've had to stop promoting Tooway as it is now full to capacity. So, just for all you sceptics out there listening to the bar room 'experts' trashing this product, remember this. You can't sell a product to capacity if it doesn't work!

Author

My name is Clive Gray, using the trading style Clive Gray Computers. I'll be jotting down thoughts and snippets as time permits.I am not responsible for the content of replies posted in response to my articles, they are the views of the poster and last time I checked, we still have the right of free speech.When replying to a post, please ensure it's relevant to the subject or it may be moved or deleted.Thank you.